Lance tip

ABSTRACT

A lance tip for use with an oxygen lance in a steel manufacturing process includes means for deflecting the oxygen flow issuing from the lance, heat absorption means formed with the means for deflecting the oxygen flow, and heat absorption means associated with the circulating fluid disposed within the lance. The present invention obviates the burning of the heretofore known lance tips.

United States Patent Carroll et al. July 1, 1975 [5 1 LANCE TIP3,346.190 10/1967 Shepherd 1, 266/34 L 3,350,080 10 I967 M 266 34 L [75]Inventors: John T. Carroll, New Boston; amen Nathan G. Harris,Wyandotte, both FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 0f Michv 45-3232310/1970 Japan 266/34 L I I l,0O9.327 ll/l965 United Kingdom 1. [73]Assignee. John T. Carroll, N6 Boston, M1ch, 995,688 6/1965 UnitedKingdom u 266/34 L [22] Filed: Feb. 7, i973 Primary ExaminerGerald A.Dost [2]] Appl 330289 Attorney, Agent, or Firmlrving M. Weiner [52] U.S.Cl 266/34 L- 57 ABSTRACT {5i} Int. Cl. C2lc 7/00 A l f h l I [581 Field61 Search... 239/132.3; 266/34 L. 34 LM, m 3 F 266/41 manufacturingprocess Includes means for deflecting the oxygen flow Issuing from thelance, heat absorp- [56] Reierences Ci'ed tion means formed with themeans for deflecting the oxygen flow, and heat absorption meansassociated UNITED STATES PATENTS with the circulating fluid disposedwithin the lance Berry 1 L The present invention obviates the burning ofthe 3,322,419 5/1967 Smith et al. H 266/34 L hfletofore known lance tips3,334,885 8/1967 Taylor .1 266/34 L 3,337,203 8/1967 Smith et al. 266/34L 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PBiTEHTFRJuu LANCE TIP BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains tosteel manufacturing processes and equipment. More particularly, thepresent invention pertains to oxygen steel-making processes andequipment. Even more particularly, the present invention pertains tolance tips for oxygen lances used in oxygen steel making processes.

2. Prior Art In recent years the application of pure oxygen in steelrefining processes has lead to the emergence of new steel makingprocesses. Generally, such processes include the use of almost pureoxygen which is blown onto the molten pig iron.

In the process under consideration herein a jet of oxygen is blown athigh pressure through a tube onto the surface of molten iron in aconverter-type vessel. This tube is generally denoted in the trade as alance.

At the lower most end of the tube there is generally provided a lancetip from which oxygen issues out onto the surface of the molten pigiron.

Heretofore known lance tips have generally been deficient in one majorregard. Because of the high temperatures associated with the refiningprocesses, the tip has a tendency to burn thereby requiring almostconstant replacement. This results in a plurality of disadvantages, suchas down time, loss of useful production time, and the like.

The present invention, on the other hand, seeks to obviate this drawbackin the prior art by providing a lance tip having an inherently longeruseful time and therefore does not require such constant replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention anoxygen lance is provided with a lance tip comprising means fordeflecting the oxygen issuing from the lance and means for absorbing theheat generated about the lance tip.

The means for deflecting the oxygen generally comprises a conical shapedmember which is insertable within the lance and rigidly secured to theinterior walls thereof. Proximate the apex the conical member is formedfrom any suitable steel. The remainder of the conical member is formedfrom copper.

The present lance tip further includes heat absorption means which arefixedly secured to the lance at the lower most end thereof.

The heat absorption means and the conical member define the lance tiphereof.

It is further contemplated that the conical member be provided with heatabsorption means disposed around the periphery thereof and whichcooperates with the other heat absorption means to prevent burn out ofthe lance tip.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference ismade to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. Inthe drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout theseveral views in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevation view, partin section, of a steel crucible deploying the oxygen lance;

FIG. 2 is a side view, part in section, of the lance tip of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As hereinbefore noted thepresent invention pertains to oxygen steel making processes. Generallyspeaking, such processes provide for a crucible which contains thereinmolten pig iron. In refining molten pig iron oxygen is delivered theretothrough a lance. As is generally known in the art, a lance comprises anelongated tube member connected at one end to a source of oxygen underpressure. Circumferentially disposed around the oxygen tube is fluidcirculation means which acts to cool the lance. The fluid circulationmeans generally employs water as the cooling fluid. In essence,therefore, the lance comprises the water circulation meanscircumferentially disposed about the oxygen delivery tube.

Now, with reference to the drawing, and in particular FIG. 1, there isdepicted therein the above-defined general process to which the presentinvention pertains. As shown therein, a crucible 10 containing moltenpig iron 12. A lance 14 has oxygen issuing therefrom at the end 16 ofthe lance 14. It is at the end 16 in which the lance tip, generallyindicated at 18, is deployed.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, there is shown therein the lance tip18 of the present invention. The lance tip generally includes means fordeflecting the oxygen issuing from the lance and denoted by the numeral20. The lance tip further includes means 22 which absorb the heatgenerated about the lance end I6. The means 22 extends between the outerwall 24 of the lance and the oxygen delivery tube 26 disposed within thelance 14. The means for absorbing heat 22, such as ribs 23, are rigidlysecured between the outer wall 24 and the oxygen delivery tube 26 by anysuitable means such as welding, and the like. Because of its intendedpurpose in absorbing heat, the means 22 is preferably formed fromcopper. Preferably a plurality of ribs 22 are circumferentially disposedabout the end [6 of the lance l4, and as shown in FIG. 4.

The means 22 have the heat absorbed thereby absorbed by circulatingfluid (not shown) which circulates within conduits 28 and 30 disposedwithin the lance 14. The fluid flows in the direction of the arrows asshown in FIG. 2. Generally the fluid is water. Thus, by the dispositionof the ribs and the circulating fluid the temperature at the end of thetube is maintained at a minimal level.

The means 20 for deflecting the oxygen issuing from the end I6 generallycomprises any suitable member 32 capable of deflecting the oxygenissuing from the end I6 from about 8 to 15 and preferably from about 8to about I2". The member 32 is substantially disposed within theinterior of the oxygen delivery tube 26 and is rigidly fixed thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the member 32 preferably comprises a conical memberhaving its base 34 substantially co-planar with the end I6. The apex 36extends and is disposed vertically upward from the base.

A plurality of spacers 38 disposed proximate the apex 36 extend betweenthe periphery of the member 32 and the interior wall of the tube 26. Thespacers 38 have one end thereof rigidly affixed to the member 32 andtheir other end rigidly affixed to the interior wall of the tube 26thereby providing rigid connection between the member 32 and thedelivery tube 26. The spacers can be rigidly fixed at their respectiveends to the member 32 and the tube 26 such as by welding or the like toprovide the innerconnection.

It is generally contemplated by the present invention that the areaproximate the apex of the member be formed of any suitable steel whilethe area proximate the base be formed of copper for heat transferpurposes.

It is also within the scope of the present invention that the member 32be provided with a plurality of projections 40 which extend from theapex to the base about the periphery of the member 32. The projections,which are preferably formed of copper, further provide means fordissipating or absorbing the heat generated about the lance tip.

The lance tip of the present invention affords a means whereby the heatgenerated about the lance tip is dissipated such that no burnout occursthereat. The heretofore known devices, as hereinbefore noted, because oftheir construction with minute orifices and the like are generallycaused to burn out by the tremendous heat generated at the lance tipover a very short time period. Because there are no orifices or thelike, and by the further provision of means for absorbing the heat. thisprior art problem is now overcome.

We claim:

1. In an oxygen lance of the type comprising an oxygen delivery tubehaving fluid circulation means circumferencially disposed therearound, alance tip therefor, comprising in combination:

Central means for deflecting the oxygen issuing from said lance, saidmeans for deflecting the oxygen being affixed to said oxygen deliverytube, said means for deflecting the oxygen having a plurality of meansfor absorbing heat therefrom disposed about the periphery thereof andbeing formed therewith;

at least one rib for absorbing the heat generated about the end of saidlance. said rib being disposed within and extending from the outer wallof said fluid circulation means to said oxygen delivery tube; and

said means for deflecting the oxygen comprises a conical member and thearea proximate the apex of the conical member is formed from steel andthe area proximate the base of the conical member is formed from copper.

2. The lance tip of claim I wherein the conical angle is from between 8to 15 and the conical member is affixed to the oxygen delivery tubeinteriorly thereof.

1. IN AN OXYGEN LANCE OF THE TYPE COMPRISING OXYGEN DELIVERY TUBE HAVINGFLUID CIRCULATION MEANS CIRCUMFERENCIALLY DISPOSED THEREAROUND, A LANCETIP THEREFOR, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: CENTRAL MEANS FOR DEFLECTINGTHE OXYGEN ISSUING FROM SAID LANCE, SAID MEANS FOR DEFLECTING THE OXYGENBEING AFFIXED TO SAID OXYGEN DELIVERY TUBE, SAID MEANS FOR DEFLECTINGTHE OXYGEN HAVING A PLURALITY OF MEANS FOR ABSORBING HEAT THEREFROMDISPOSED ABOUT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF AND BEING FORMED THEREWITH, ATLEAST ONE RIB FOR ABSORBING THE HEAT GENERATED ABOUT THE END OF SAIDLANCE, SAID RIB BEING DISPOSED WITHIN AND EXTENDING FROM THE OUTER WALLOF SAID FLUID CIRCULATION MEANS TO SAID OXYGEN DELIVERY TUBE, AND MEMBERAND THE AREA PROXIMATE THE APEX OF TH CONICAL MEMBER IS FORMED FRM STEELAND THE AREA PROXIMATE THE BASE OF THE CONICAL MEMBER IS FORMED FROMCOPPER. SAID MEANS FOR DEFLECTING THE OXYGEN COMPRISES A CONICAL
 2. Thelance tip of claim 1 wherein the conical angle is from between 8* to 15*and the conical member is affixed to the oxygen delivery tube interiorlythereof.